Here is a listing of Rochester’s professorships established during The Meliora Challenge, between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2016.
Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professorship in Entrepreneurship
Dennis Kessler, a faculty member at the Simon School. The professorship was established by Edward Ackley ’53, ’64S (MS) and Agnes Van Branteghem Ackley ’54.
Lindsey Distinguished Professorship for Pediatric Research
Francis Gigliotti ’83M (Flw), chief of the Division of Pediatric Diseases at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The position was endowed by microbiologist Porter Anderson Jr., who named it after one of the first children to receive the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine that Anderson codeveloped.
Doris Johns Cherry Professorship
Vera Gorbunova, professor of biology. The professorship was established with an estate gift from Doris Johns Cherry ’43.
Corrigan-Minehan Professorship in Political Science
Lawrence Rothenberg, professor of political science. The professorship was part of a gift from E. Gerald Corrigan and University Trustee Cathy Jones Minehan ’68.
Beverly Petterson Bishop M ’46 and Charles W. Bishop PhD ’46 Endowed Professorship in Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Michael Tanenhaus, professor of brain and cognitive sciences and of linguistics. The professorship was named for the late Charles ’46M (PhD) and the late Beverly Petterson Bishop ’46 (MA).
Lionel McKenzie Professorship
Narayana Kocherlakota, professor of economics. Named for the founder of Rochester’s graduate program in economics, the professorship was established with a gift from the late Fred Jensen ’42.
Janice M. and Joseph T. Willett Professorship
Ronald Schmidt, who developed and chaired the Simon School’s Executive Development (MBA) Program at Erasmus University in the Netherlands. The professorship was established by University Trustee Janice Willett ’78S (MBA) and Joseph Willett ’75S (MBA).
Dr. Arcangelo J. Madonia ’38 and Annette Madonia Professorship
The position was established by the late Arcangelo and late Annette Madonia. An appointee is to be determined.
Frederick Douglass Professorship
Cilas Kemedjio, professor of French. Established with a gift from the late Fred Jensen ’42, the professorship recognizes the Rochester-based abolitionist and activist.
Brian J. Thompson Professorship in Optical Engineering
Jannick Rolland, professor of optics. Named in honor of Thompson, provost emeritus and former director of the Institute of Optics, the professorship was endowed by University Trustee John Bruning.
Richard S. Eisenberg Professorship in Chemistry
The position was named in recognition of Eisenberg, the Tracy H. Harris Professor of Chemistry. An appointee is to be determined.
Kenneth G. Burton, MD Annual Visiting Professor in Pediatric Orthopaedics
The position was established by Richard Burton ’64M (Res) in memory of his father. An appointee is determined annually.
Louis S. Wolk Distinguished Professorship in Medicine
Stephen Hammes, professor of endocrinology. Named in recognition of the Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation, the professorship honors Wolk, a prominent Rochester real estate entrepreneur and civic philanthropist.
Louis and Dorothy Lange Professorship in Chemistry
University Trustee Louis Lange ’70 established the professorship in memory of his parents, Louis and Dorothy. An appointee is to be determined.
Joseph W. Goodman Professorship in Optics
The position was established by Goodman, an engineer and physicist at Stanford University. An appointee is to be determined.
Founders’ Distinguished Professorship of Pediatric Allergy
Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, associate professor of pediatric allergy/immunology and rheumatology. The professorship was established by Eric Dreyfuss, clinical assistant professor at Golisano Children’s Hospital, in honor of the founders of pediatric allergy in Rochester.
Marilyn and Michael Rosen Endowed Professorship
The position was established with a gift from University Trustee Michael Rosen ’82, ’83S (MBA) and Marilyn Rosen. An appointee is to be determined.
Graduate Deanship at the Eastman School of Music
The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.
Rajesh Wadhawan Professorship
The position was established by the Wadhawan family. An appointee is to be determined.
Dr. Laurie Sands Distinguished Professorship of Families and Health
Susan McDaniel, professor of psychiatry. Endowed by the Sands Family Foundation, the professorship was named in honor of the late Laurie Anne Sands ’76M (MD).
Fields Endowed Professorship
Rabi Tawil, professor of neurology and co-director of the MDA Neuromuscular Disease Clinic. The position was established by Richard Fields on behalf of the Fields Family Foundation.
William H. Eilinger Chair of Pediatrics
Nina Schor, pediatrician-in-chief at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The position was established with a gift from Eilinger’s estate.
Joseph F. Cunningham Professorship
Robert Westbrook, professor of history. The professorship was established by Joseph Cunningham ’67 (MA).
Susanna and Evans Y. Lam Professorship
Joanna Wu, professor of accounting at the Simon School. The professorship was established by University Trustee Evans Lam ’83, ’84S (MBA) and Susanna Lam.
William and Sheila Konar Endowed Professorship
Anton Porsteinsson ’93M (Res), director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Research, and Education Program. The position was established by the late Bill Konar and Sheila Konar.
James N. Doyle, Sr. Professorship in Entrepreneurship
Ronald Goettler, associate professor of business administration at Simon Business School. The professorship was established by James Doyle Jr. in honor of his father’s career at the Simon School.
Michael and Diane Jones Professorship
Toni Whited, professor at the Simon School. The professorship was established by University Trustee Michael Jones ’76 and Diane Jones.
Haggerty-Friedman Professorship in Developmental/Behavioral Pediatric Research
Tristram Smith, professor of pediatrics, and director for research at Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities. The position was established by two Rochester faculty members: the late Stanford Friedman ’57M (MD), who helped launched the field of behavioral pediatrics, and Robert Haggerty, who was chair of pediatrics during Friedman’s tenure at the Medical Center.
Alan F. Hilfiker Distinguished Professorship in English
Kenneth Gross, professor of English. The professorship was established by University Trustee Alan Hilfiker ’60.
Lori and Alan S. Zekelman Distinguished Professorship of Business Administration
Robert Novy-Marx, professor of finance at the Simon School. The professorship was established by University Trustee Alan Zekelman ’87S (MS) and Lori Talsky-Zekelman.
Richard T. Bell Endowed Professorship
Yuhchyau Chen, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and a physician at the Wilmot Cancer Institute. The position was established by Bell, who was a patient of Chen’s.
Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music
Jamal Rossi, dean and professor of woodwinds at the Eastman School. The deanship was endowed by University Trustee Martin Messinger ’49 and the late Joan Messinger.
Philip and Marilyn Wehrheim Professorship
The position was established by Philip and the late Marilyn Wehrheim ’61, ’82 (MS). An appointee is to be determined.
Denham S. Ward, MD, PhD Professorship
Michael Eaton, professor of anesthesiology. The professorship was established by several donors to recognize Ward, professor emeritus of anesthesiology.
Hazel Fyfe Professorship in Economics
Mark Bils, professor of economics. The professorship was named for the late Hazel Fyfe ’46.
Arthur R. Miller Professorship of History
Thomas Slaughter, professor of history. The professorship was established by noted legal scholar and analyst Arthur Miller ’56, ’08 (Honorary).
Saunders Family Distinguished Professorship in Neuromuscular Research
Charles Thornton ’91M (Flw), professor of neurology. The professorship was established as part of a gift from Rochester businessman and University Trustee E. Philip Saunders and his family.
Philip and Carole Saunders Professorship in Neuromuscular Research
The position was established by University Trustee E. Philip Saunders and Carole Saunders. An appointee is to be determined.
Dr. Stephen I. Rosenfeld and Elise A. Rosenfeld Distinguished Professorship in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Richard Looney, professor of medicine, allergy, and immunology and rheumatology. The position was established by Stephen Rosenfeld ’59, ’63M (MD) and Elise Rosenfeld ’60W.
C. Jane Davis and C. Robert Davis Distinguished Professorship in Pulmonary Medicine
Patricia Sime, professor of medicine. The position was established to recognize Paul Levy, the Charles A. Dewey Professor of Medicine, by the late physician Jane Davis for her and in memory of her late brother, Bob Davis.
Gordon Fyfe Professorship in Economics
Mark Bils, professor in the Department of Economics. The professorship was named for the late Gordon Fyfe ’46.
Nathaniel and Helen Wisch Professorship in Biology
John (Jack) Werren, professor of biology. The professorship was established by University Trustee Nathaniel (Nat) Wisch ’55 and Helen Wisch.
Dr. Elizabeth R. McAnarney Professorship in Pediatrics Funded by Roger and Carolyn Friedlander
Richard Kreipe, professor of pediatrics. The position was endowed by University Trustee Roger Friedlander ’56 and Carolyn Friedlander ’68 PNP in recognition of Elizabeth McAnarney, a former pediatrician-in-chief at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
John J. Kuiper Distinguished Professorship
David Bushinsky, chief of nephrology at the Medical Center. The position was established by retired nephrologist John Kuiper ’65M (Res).
Ernest and Thelma Del Monte Distinguished Professorship in Neuromedicine
Webster Pilcher ’83M (MD/PhD), ’89M (Res), professor of neurology. The position was established by the late Rochester businessman and University Trustee Ernest Del Monte and the late Thelma Del Monte.
Dominick J. Argento Professorship
The professorship was established by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Dominick Argento ’58E (PhD). An appointee is to be determined.
Julius, Helen, and Robert Fine Professorship
The position was established at the suggestion of Paul Fine ’49, ’61M (MD), ’66M (Res) by his nephew, Robert Fine, in his and his parents’ names. An appointee is to be determined.
Dr. Paul and Beverly Yudkofsky Professorship in Pediatrics
The professorship was established by Beverly Yudkofsky in memory of her late husband, Paul. An appointee is to be determined.
Dr. C. McCollister Evarts Professorship in Orthopaedics
John T. Gorczyca, professor of orthopaedics, chief of the division of orthopaedic trauma, and director of the orthopaedic residency training program. The position was established by Mac Evarts ’57M (MD), ’64M (Res), a former Medical Center CEO.
Distinguished Professorship in the University of Rochester Medical Center
The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.
Marylou Ingram Professorship in Biomedical Engineering
Laurel H. Carney, Ph.D., professor of biomedical engineering and of neurobiology and anatomy. The professorship was established by Marylou Ingram ’42, ’47M (MD).
Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Distinguished Professorship in Palliative Care
Timothy Quill ’76M (MD), ’79M (Res), ’81M (Flw), director of the University’s Palliative Care Program. The position was established by the late Georgia Gosnell and her late husband, Thomas.
Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Professorship in Quality and Safety
Robert Panzer ’80M (Res), ’82M (Flw), chief quality officer for the Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital. The position was established by the late Georgia Gosnell and her late husband, Thomas.
Dr. James C. Wyant Professorship in Optics
Govind Agrawal, professor of optics and physics. The professorship was established by University Trustee James Wyant ’69 (PhD), who also established the M. Parker Givens Professorship in Optics.
Shohei Koide Professorship in Biochemistry and Biophysics
Jeffrey Hayes, professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The position was established through patent revenues generated from technology developed by Koide, who was a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics from 1995 to 2002.
Richard and Margaret Burton Distinguished Professorship in Orthopaedics
Edward Schwarz, professor of orthopaedics. The position was established by Richard Burton ’64M (Res) and Margaret Burton.
Jay S. and Jeanne P. Benet Professor of Finance
Ron Kaniel, professor of finance at the Simon School. The position was established by Jay Benet ’76S (MBA) and Jeanne Benet.
Charles E. and Dale L. Phelps Professorship in Public Health and Policy
Theodore (Ted) Brown, professor of history. The position was established by University Professor Charles Phelps, provost emeritus, and Dale Phelps, professor and former chief of the Medical Center’s neonatology division.
Steven S.T. Ching, M.D. Distinguished Professorship in Ophthalmology
The late Adeline (Lynn) and late Walter (Jack) Lutz established the professorship. An appointee is to be determined.
Dexter Perkins Professorship in History
Joan Shelley Rubin, professor of history. Named in honor of the late Dexter Perkins, a prominent American diplomatic historian, the position was established with lead gifts from Robert Kirkwood ’56 (PhD), Francis Grebe ’54, and other donors.
Joseph M. Lobozzo II Professorship
Walter Pegoli Jr., director of pediatric trauma at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The position was established by local businessman Joe Lobozzo.
James David Brodell, MD and Ann Pearsall Brodell Professorship
The position was established by James D. Brodell, Sr. ’83M (Res) and Ann Pearsall Brodell to celebrate the Brodell family legacy at the School of Medicine and Dentistry; the gift was made in memory of Dr. George Hoyt Whipple and in honor of Dr. C. McCollister “Mac” Evarts. An appointee is to be determined.
Professorship in Political Science
The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.
Ramon and Judith Ricker Saxophone Professorship and Ramon and Judith Ricker Jazz Saxophone Professorship
The positions were established by Ramon (Ray) Ricker ’73E (DMA), the former director of the Institute for Music Leadership, and Judith Ricker ’76E, ’81E (MM), ’91S (MBA). Appointees are to be determined.
Hansjörg Wyss Professorship
The position was endowed by Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss. An appointee is to be determined.
Catherine E. Aquavella Distinguished Professorship in Ophthalmology
James Aquavella, professor of ophthalmology. Aquavella established the position in memory of his late wife and currently holds it as an honorary position.
Bradford C. Berk, MD, PhD Distinguished Professorship
Arthur Moss ’62M (Res), professor of medicine and cardiology. Established by Bradford Berk ’81M (MD/PhD), Distinguished Professor, Department of Medicine and director, University of Rochester Neurorestoration Institute.
Robert C. and Rosalyne H. Griggs Professorship in the Experimental Therapeutics of Neurological Disease
The position was established by Robert Griggs, a former chair of the Department of Neurology. An appointee is to be determined.
Robert L. McCrory Professorship
Riccardo Betti, professor of mechanical engineering and of physics and astronomy. Endowed by an anonymous donor, the professorship honors McCrory, the director of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics for three decades.
Benefactor Distinguished Professorship
Gary Morrow, professor of surgery. The position was established by an anonymous donor.
James D. Thompson Chief Advancement Officer (Endowed by Larry and Cindy Bloch)
Thomas J. Farrell ’88, ’90W (MS), senior vice president and chief advancement officer. Established by University Trustee Larry Bloch ’75 and Cindy Bloch, the position recognizes Thompson, the University’s former chief advancement officer.
Ani and Mark Gabrellian Professorship
David Primo, professor of political science. The professorship was established by University Trustee Ani Nazerian Gabrellian ’84 and Mark Gabrellian ’79.
James V. Aquavella, M.D. Professorship in Ophthalmology
Krystel R. Huxlin, professor of ophthalmology and director of research at the Flaum Eye Institute. The fund was established by Aquavella, professor of ophthalmology.
Northumberland Trust Professorship in Pediatrics
Ruth Lawrence, professor of pediatrics. The position was established by an anonymous donor.
David M. Levy Professorship in Neurology
Ray Dorsey, professor of neurology. The position was established with an estate gift from Levy.
Wilmot Distinguished Professorship in Cancer Genomics
The position was established by the Wilmot family and the James P. Wilmot Foundation. An appointee is to be determined.
Frederick A. Horner, M.D. Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Neurology
Jonathan Mink, professor of neurology. Established by Marjorie Horner in memory of her late husband, Frederick Horner ’47M (MD), who joined the pediatric neurology faculty in 1968.
Michael C. Jensen Professorship
The fund was established by Martin Lacoff ’71S (MBA) in honor of former Simon School professor Michael Jensen. An appointee is to be determined.
Northumberland Trust Professorship in Neuroscience
The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.
Carol Anne Brink Professorship
The position was established in honor of Brink, associate professor emerita of clinical nursing. An appointee is to be determined.
Independence Chair in Nursing and Palliative Care
Sally Norton, associate professor of nursing. The professorship was established by the Independence Foundation.
Robin and Tim Wentworth Directorship of the Goergen Institute for Data Science
Henry Kautz ’87 (PhD), director for the Goergen Institute for Data Science and professor in the Department of Computer Science. The position was established by University Trustee Timothy C. Wentworth P’11, P’16 and Robin C. Wentworth P’11, P’16.
Wright Family Research Professorship
Richard Paige Phipps, professor of Environmental Medicine and director of the URSMD Lung Biology and Disease Program. The professorship was created in accordance with Chauncey and Simone Wright’s great desire to support a professor performing medical research at the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Donald M. Foster, M.D. Distinguished Professorship in Biostatistics
Robert Strawderman III, chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology and associate director for collaborative services at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. The position was established in recognition of the late Donald M. Foster ’50M (MD) for his loyalty and generosity, and in gratitude for his generous estate provision.
Donald M. Foster, M.D. Professorship in Biomedical Genetics
Dirk Bohmann, tenured professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics; director of the Genetics, Genomic and Development Graduate Program; and co-director of the Rochester Aging Research Center. The position was established in recognition of the late Donald M. Foster ’50M (MD) for his loyalty and generosity, and in gratitude for his generous estate provision.
Martha M. Freeman, M.D. Professorship in Biomedical Genetics
Mark Noble, professor with dual appointments in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy. The late Martha Mann Freeman ’44, ’45N, ’51M (MD) made provisions in her will that helped establish this professorship.
Tansukh, Sarla and Rajesh Ganatra Distinguished Professorship in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
George Alfieris ’92M (Res), ’94M (Flw), director of pediatric cardiac surgery and professor of surgery. Tansukh, Sarla and Rajesh Ganatra established the professorship out of gratitude to the University of Rochester Medical Center doctors who assisted numerous family members and also their dear friends.
Albert and Phyllis Ritterson Professorship
The professorship, which supports the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, was created in accordance with an estate gift from and the intention of the late Phyllis Ritterson ’55M (MS) to support educational endeavors in Parasitology. An appointee is to be determined.
Edward A. and Alma Vollertsen Rykenboer Professorship in Neurology
Gretchen Birbeck, professor in the departments of neurology and public health sciences, and at the Department of Public Health Sciences. The late Dr. Edward August Rykenboer ’12, ’13 (MS) and late Alma Vollertsen Rykenboer made substantial bequests from their estates, which helped establish this professorship.
Marjorie B. Morris Endowed Professorship in Cardiac Surgery
Peter Knight ’87M (FLW), professor in the Department of Surgery, Cardiac. Marjorie B. Morris established this professorship in gratitude for the outstanding care she received as a patient of Dr. Knight, and her desire to support world-class surgeons and advance cardiac care at the Medical Center.
Professorship in Medical Education
The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.
Lawrence N. Chessin, M.D. ’58 and Rita R. Chessin Professorship in Infectious Diseases
Dr. Lawrence N. Chessin ’58 and Rita R. Chessin created the professorship out of gratitude for Dr. Chessin’s undergraduate education and the important role the University played in both their lives. An appointee is to be determined.
Ani and Mark Gabrellian Humanities Center Directorship
University Trustee Ani Gabrellian ’84 and Mark Gabrellian ’79 established the position in recognition of the Humanities’ vital importance to all parts of the University of Rochester. An appointee is to be determined.
John F. Randolph Professorship in Mathematics
The professorship was established by Dr. Eric T. Lincke ’54, ’57M (MD) in memory of the late professor John F. Randolph, who was chairman of the University of Rochester Math Department during the 1950s.
Nicholas George Endowed Professorship in Optics
The position was established with a gift from Milton Chang in honor of Professor Emeritus Nicholas George, and an additional commitment from Joseph W. Goodman. An appointee is to be determined.
Lyons/Offermann Professorship for Cancer Biology
The professorship was established by Stafford Lyons and Henry P. Offermann. An appointee is to be determined.
G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professorship
Joel Seligman, president and CEO. The position was established by G. Robert Witmer, Jr. ’59, chair emeritus of the Board of Trustees, and Nancy Witmer.
John and Ethel Heselden Professorship
Aram Hezel, associate professor of medicine and chief of Hematology/Oncology. The professorship was created in accordance with the late Heseldens’ desire to support research, clinical program development, and education in the Department of Hematology.
Robert J. Keegan Endowed Professorship in Pricing
Established by University Trustee Robert Keegan, this professorship marked the 100th professorship created during the campaign. An appointee is to be determined.
William and Sheila Konar Family Professorship in Geriatrics, Palliative Medicine, and Person-Centered Care
Daniel Mendelson, professor of Medicine. The professorship was established by the William and Sheila Konar Foundation.
Two additional new professorships are in the process of having their names finalized. One will be in cardiac surgery and the other in pulmonary and critical care medicine, specializing in asthma.
Read more about The Meliora Challenge.
